Vocalscope



Dec. l5, 1931.

VOCALSCOPE Filed March 21. 1930 L. SIMMIONS 2 Sheets-Sheet l [vaals INVEN TOR.

BY I "'f ,l

` ATTORNEY Dec. l5, 1 931.

L, slMMloNs 1,836,777

vocALscoPE Fi led March 2l, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

BY ma@ ATTORNEY [owls miam? Patented Dec. l5, 1931 PATENT OFFICE LOUIS SIMMONS, F NEW YORK, N. Y.

VOCALSCOPE Application led March 21, 1930. Serial No. 437,902.

This invention relates to a vocalscope, a meter for measuring the quality of ones voice.

The invention has for an object the provision of a device of the class mentioned which is of simple durable construction, dependable in use and eiicient in action, and which can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

A microphone shows more than ever the sins of the eaking voice for the faulty, throaty, nasil) production is magnified a thousand folds. No one can hear fully their own voices, in speech nor in song. For this reason I have evolved an electrical instrument with which one can magnify the sound in the inner ear so one can hear correct his or her own faults. The faults particularly referred to are those in intonation and faults in modulation, in speech and in song.

In other words, one can hear his or her own voice as others hear it. It is the low ventricular sound that one cannot hear, and it is in these fundamentals of the melodic line that all the damage is done by a teacher. Most singers and speakers control the sound of their voices as they hear it themselves, instead of projecting their voices as others hear it so they miss the inner quality or basic sound that is called continuant in microphonic work ofthe radio and sound films, now a real field worth while.

The principal purpose of the meter is so indicated in the middle sector when the voice is tuned to resonance. It will indicate the pressure of the breath necessary for the vowel continuent. It will indicate in the magnetic field of the meter the correct tone production in the active and inactive notes in the scale. It will show the student that he can check up the y uality, resonance, pitch and right power of his voice by the ear phone so that he does not have to depend all the time on his teacher. He will hear his voice as others hear it. Once he can hear his own voice, it will cure him tion, and of the objects and advantages there-- of, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of theinvention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a. material part of this disclosure Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a device constructed according to this invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view similar to F ig. l, but illustrating another arrangement.

Fig. 6 is a schematic wiring diagram of the various parts shown in Figs. 1 to 4.

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of a device constructed according to another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view looking in the direction of the line 8 8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view looking in the direction of the line 9 9 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of Fig. 7.

Fig. 11 is a schematic wiring diagram of the various electrical parts shown in Figs. 7 to 10.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged detailed view of a portion of Fig. 1 and Fig. 10 showing an indicator in another position.

In Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, a container 10 has been illustrated formed with a front panel board l1. This container is arranged in a position so that the board is substantially vertical. Doors 12 are hingedly mounted on the sides of the container and are adapted to enclose the panel board 11. One of the doors is formed with a cutout portion 13 for receiving an ear phone. A base element 14 is attached upon the bottom of the panel so that it may rest upon a fiat surface. A handle 15 is mounted upon the top of the container to permit manual carrying from place to place.

A very sensitive galvanometer 16 is mounted upon the panel board so that its face may be read from the outside and electrical con-y nections add to itirom the interior of the container. A horn 17 is also mounted upon the panel board 11 directly to the front ot a transmitter 18 mounted upon a sound board 19 supported within the container 10. A jack 2() for receiving a plug connected with ear phones, a switch 21 and a rheostat 22 are held mounted upon the panel board 11.

Fig. 5 distinguishes from Fig. 1 Vonly in the arrangement of the parts upon the panel board. 'The galvanometer is'shown arranged on the bottom and the horn and microphone at the top. This is only for indicating that different 'arrangements maybe had to best suit any particular pupil. A means is also provided upon the panelboard 1l for indieating certain positions of the pointer ot a galvanometer. rI his means consists of one or more flexible pointerjarrangements. Each ot these pointer arrangements consists of a plurality oflinks 23 pivotally connected to each other attheir ends so as to be in one continuous line. The'innermost link, indicated by referencey numeral'23, is pivotally mounted on a post 24C projecting from theV panel 11.- The outermost link, indicated by numeral 23, is formed` with a'pointer portion 25. The front ends ofalternate links are provided with eyeelements 26, and a Hexible cord27 is attached upon the front end of the link 23 and-passed thru each of. these eyelets and thru an aperture in thel `post 24, and terminates in a sling 28. The frictional connection between the various links should be great so thatthey maintain any positions in which they are manually laced.

During the operation ci) the device, when the pointer of the galvanometer moves across certain divisions upon this scale, the indicatingA means may be lset for indicating the positionso that upon subsequent Vtrials the oldk position may` be kept in mind. Upon con- Vclusion, the indicator means may be contracted into Va small compass by drawing upon the sling 28 so that the various links assume ad'- jacent positions as shown in Figs. 1 and 10.

The various electrical instruments shown in Figs. 1 vto 5 inclusive are connected in series as indicated in Fig. 6. VIn'operation of the device, Vthe rheostat 22 should be adjusted so as to get a convenient iiuctuation ot the indicator ot the galvanometer 16. It the pupil wants to, he may .use al pair of ear "phones by merely plugging them into the plug 20. Itis advisable that he neXt Vpronounces the various vowels and then vowels connected with certain consonants, and watches the fluctuations of the galvanometer pointer. In this manner he may be properly' taught about the resonance of his roice. In addition, the ear phones permit him to listen Y to his voice as other people hear it, which is slightly diii'erent to the way he himself hears it.

vthe container so that the container may be locked closed. A handle 34 is fixed upon one side of the container to permit manual moving from place to place.

A transmitter 35 is mounted uponV the cover 31 and also supports a horn 36. This transmitter, is wired up in Lseries asindicated in Fig. ll-with an ear phone'37, a plurality ot rheostats 38, switches 39 and a galvanometer i0,V In all, three rheastats have been illustrated, preferably they should be arranged in one straight line along the panel. The ear Vphone is also shown provided with a switch 41 so Vthat it may be cut out ot the circuit at will. When this is done, a switch 43 must be shunted across theopen circuit left by the operation of the switch 41. An inspection ot the drawings clearly indicates the Wiring and for this reason a detailtracing of the current is not thought necessary. A meansis also provided upon the panel 1 1 for indicating certain positions-of the pointer of the galgvanometer. This means is shown in detail in Fig.r12 and has been Jfullydescribed before in this specification.

While I have shown and described the preferredembodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit mysclfto the precise construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved vto all changes and moditications coming Vwithin the scope of the invention as deined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and'desire to secure by United .States Letters Patent is 1. A meter for measuring the quality of the voice, comprising a container with a panel board,.a galvanometer mounted upon said container, Vand a transmitter supported upon the panelboard and connected in series with a rheostat, .a switch, a source of current and the said .galvanometen i 2. A Vmeter for measuring the quality of the voice, comprisinga container with a panel board, a galvanometer mounted upon said container, and a transmitter supported upon the panel board and connected in series with .a rheostat, a switch, .a source of `current and the said galvanometer, sai-dtransmitter being mounted upon a sound boardarranged within the container. j

V3. In a meter for measuring the quality of thevoice, a container with a panel board, a galvanometer mounted upon said container, and means for indicating certain positions of the pointer of the galvanometer, said means comprising a plurality of links pivotally connected with each other, the rear link being pivotally mounted upon a post, a front link being provided with a pointer, and the front ends of alternate links being provided with eye elements receiving a string attached to the first link and passing thru an aperture formed in the said post.

4. In a device of the class described, a panel board, a galvanometer mounted upon said panel board, a post projecting from the panel board, the innermost link of a plurality of links pivotally connected to each other at their ends so as to be in one continuous line and pivotally mounted upon said post, the outermost link of said plurality of links formed with a pointer eye, elements attached to the front ends of alternate links, and a flexible cord attached upon said outermost link and passing through said eye elements and through an aperture formed in the said post.

5. In a device of the class described, a panel board, a galvanometer mounted upon said panel board, a post projecting from the panel board, the innermost link of a plurality of links pivotally connected to each other at their ends so as to be in one continuous line and pivotally mounted upon said post, the outermost link of said plurality of links formed with a pointer eye, elements attached to the front ends of alternate links, and a flexible cord attached upon said outermost link and passing through said eye elements and through an aperture formed in the said post, said flexible cord terminating in a sling.

6. In a meter for measuring the quality of the voice, a container with a panel board, a galvanometer mounted upon said container, and means for indicating certain positions ofthe pointer of the galvanometer, said means comprising a plurality of links pivotally connected with each other, the rear link being ivotally mounted upon a post, a front link eing provided with a pointer, and the front ends of alternate links being provided with eye elements receiving a string attached to the first link and passing thru an aperture formed in the said post, said pivotal connection between the links having suiicient friction so as to maintain an positions in which they are manually placed In testimony whereof I have aiixed my signature.

LOUIS SIMMIONS. 

